The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.
The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
The IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.
The Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), established in 1985, provides National Societies with start-up funds for large-scale disaster response operations and as grants to cover the costs of small-scale disasters.
Through close collaboration with its major partners, the International Federation is seeking to promote the quality of DREF operations, timely and quality reporting and transparency in the use of the funds and to further enhance the confidence of partners in the performance of the National Societies in implementing operations.
With 23 new DREF allocations in 2024 and a total of 37 operations ongoing in that year, supported by the DREF, the Asia-Pacific region is one of the highest users of this fund.
The DREF Coordinator is a member of Strategic Priority 2 – Evolving Crises and Disasters team, which works collaboratively with the other Strategic Priority teams in the Health Disaster Climate and Crisis (HDCC) unit with other units in IFRC APRO, Geneva, CD and CCD counterparts towards: (i) managing an inclusive local-to-global IFRC-wide response system, built upon Movement learning, informed by industry best practices, and equipped for the future; (ii) delivering innovation in managing information for timely and comprehensive collation and analysis to inform IFRC operational and strategic decision making; (iii) ensuring evidence-based analysis of risks and capacities that supports better preparedness and more integrated, multi-sectoral, holistic approaches to response and recovery; (iv) profiling the work of the IFRC in the region across the preparedness-response-recovery continuum, highlighting the value added by IFRC in strengthening community resilience; (v) expanding Disaster Response Emergency Response Fund (DREF) access to more vulnerable communities and in response to small-scale, silent and forgotten disasters; (vi) delivering more transparency in procedures and decision-making, including through clear agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs); (vii) ensuring institutional readiness for disaster and crisis response; (viii) applying innovative approaches in disaster and crisis response and recovery operations; and (ix) instilling a culture of information management across the organization.
The DREF Coordinator for Asia-Pacific, working under the line management of the Coordinator, Large Scale Disasters and Crises, reporting technically to the DREF Senior Officer in Geneva – is accountable for overseeing the coordination of timely and efficient support to Asia-Pacific National Societies and IFRC delegations in planning and implementing DREF operations to respond to sudden and slow-onset disasters and crises. In doing so, the DREF Officer provides leadership for the international coordination and support for the management of IFRC disaster and crises assistance in support of National Societies in their endeavour to implement DREF operations.
The DREF Coordinator also leads the effort to strengthen National Societies and IFRC delegations’ capacities by increasing their understanding of the DREF mechanism and processes, to ensuring the quality and accountability of all DREF operations in Asia-Pacific at all stages.
As such, the DREF Coordinator:
The DREF Coordinator generally focuses on coordination, leadership, strategic support and technical guidance on DREF matters in APRO, with possibility of time-bound operational and capacity development support at country-level with IFRC delegations and/or National Societies, as required and relevant.
Management Support:
A. Technical
Coordinate the preparation and processing of DREF allocation requests together with IFRC delegations, including the support to develop and use relevant resources to strengthen the understanding and use of the DREF processes. Promote timeliness and advises on the eligibility of the proposed activities and compliance with DREF Procedures, ensures initial operational calls between APRO and IFRC delegations, attends task force calls and provides advice on the eligibility or not of the proposed requests, and advise on DREF grant or loan procedures according to the IFRC Emergency Response Framework (ERF) and other relevant internal procedures and guidelines. Play a key role in the DREF approval process by ensuring appropriate and timely technical input from regional technical teams (HDCC, logistics, NSD, PMER and validation by Finance; by liaising with DCC Dept. in Geneva for quality control and sign off). Support DREF operation budget holders to maintain an overview of DREF expenditure, revision of operation plans where necessary and timely and transparent financial and narrative reporting on the use of DREF funds. This will be done in collaboration with relevant IFRC delegations, Finance and PMER teams to ensure proper monitoring of operations. Ensure the quality and accountability of DREF operations by promoting and assisting with the use of management tools at country level and by leading DREF evaluation initiatives together with APRO PMER and DREF Officers in IFRC GVA. Lead the quality and timely reporting on DREF operations through close cooperation with IFRC Delegations and APRO PMER and Finance counterparts. Disseminate and promote understanding of the DREF Procedures, Guidelines and DREF processes and evolutions. Monitor alignment with DREF procedures in the Asia-Pacific Region, and report issues of non-compliance to APRO Management.B. Representation & Relationships
The DREF Coordinator has a technical reporting line to the DREF Senior officer in Geneva, who will advise the DREF Coordinator on DREF technical issues and parameters on overall DREF operations.
Required
Degree (or equivalent qualification) in International Development, Disaster Management, or other relevant subjects.
Preferred
Master’s Degree in related field Basic IFRC Delegates Training Course (BTC), WORC, IMPACT or equivalent knowledgeRequired
At least 7-10 years of professional experience related to disaster management and particularly disaster response operations in multiple country contexts Experience of programme design, project management and reporting, preferably in relation to disaster response
Preferred
Previous experience of monitoring and evaluation Practical experience in sectors linked to disaster response (i.e. relief, food security, health, WASH, logistics) Experience in supporting disaster response in the Asia-Pacific context Previous experience of using IFRC planning, reporting and finance tools Experience working in a RC/RC National Society and/or IFRC/ICRCRequired
Excellent written and oral communication skills Excellent computer skills (including presentations, database and use of statistics)
Preferred
Facilitation and training skills Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.
Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development.